NTSE 2020-21
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was established by the Government of India in 1961 to improve quality education in India. The NCERT council started several programs towards assisting students and encouraging them to continue their studies. One such program was the National Science Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS). NTSE aims at identifying and nurturing talented students.
In 1963, this initiative was taken to award scholarship to talented students who are confined only to the Union Territory of Delhi. The scheme was extended to all states and union territories in the following years. The number of scholarships increased from 350 in 1964 to 500 in 1976. In 1983 the number of scholarships was extended to 750 with a provision of 70 scholarships, especially for SC/ST candidates.
[ninja_tables id="27861"]
National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) was conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for identifying talented students; who want to pursue higher education in science and social studies streams. NTSE scheme was to award talented students by assisting them with financial aid to continue their education.
[ninja_tables id="27878"]
The exam selection procedure was based on a science aptitude test, an essay, a project report, and a personal interview. In 1964, it was changed to two objective type tests, namely the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), followed by a face to face interview in 1976.
During 1976, the exam was renamed to National Talent Search Scheme (NTSS) and was no longer confined to only basic sciences but was extended to social sciences, engineering, and medicine. Students of classes X, XI, and XII could appear for the exam.
The program was decentralized in 1985 to extend its reach to far-reaching corners in India and was also confined to class X students.
- The Olympiad was divided into a two-tier process. The state-based educational bodies conduct the first level exam known as the State Level Talent Search Examination, and NCERT performs the second level.
- Each state could recommend a stipulated number (as per state quota) of candidates. The national level examination is conducted for approximately 3000 students. The state and the union territory quota was computed based on the student enrolment at the secondary level.
- The states and union territories had complete authority on the design of the exams and how they are conducted but are advised to follow the national pattern (MAT and SAT).
- MAT section consists of 100 multiple choice questions, and the SAT section consists of 200 questions. Besides, the NTSE question paper also contains 25 multiple choice questions from any of the following languages.
[ninja_tables id="27880"]
Students could choose four out of these eight subjects and had to answer a total of 100 questions on the SAT.
Students who qualify for the exam conducted by NCERT are called to a face to face interview.
The scholarships are awarded based on scores in MAT, SAT, and their performance in the face-to-face interview.
NTSE 2020-21 stage 1 exam will be conducted in December 2020. Find out the NTSE 2020-21 exam schedule.
[ninja_tables id="27881"]
The number of NTSE scholarships was raised from 750 to 1000 in the year 2000, with the provision of reservation for SC/ST candidates based on the national norms of 15% and 7.5%. The scholarship was shifted from class X to class VIII in 2007. The class VIII MAT and SAT consisted of 90 questions, each with 35 questions for social science, 35 for science, and 20 for mathematics in SAT.
Student enrollment in classes VII and VIII was the deciding factor for student’s quota for a state. Besides, parental income was removed as a factor for awarding the scholarship. Also, included three percent reservation for physically challenged students was introduced in 2008. Let’s look into some of the other changes made in the NTSE exam.
- NTS exam was shifted to class X in 2013, and a language test (English/Hindi) was included as an additional component.
- The language test score is not a deciding factor while deciding the final list and is only qualifying in nature.
- Negative marking was introduced in 2014, with 1.3 marks were deducted for every wrong answer.
- In 2014, the scholarship amount was changed to INR 1,250 per month for class XI and XII.
- INR 2,000 per month for UG and PG.
- Scholarship for students pursuing a PhD by UGC norms varies.
- The minimum qualify mark was increased from 32% to 35% in 2015.
- Reservation for physically challenged students was increased from 3% to 4% in 2017.
- E-admit cards were introduced in 2018 and can be downloaded from the NCERT website.
- A reservation of 27 percent was given to other backward classes (OBC).
Under the present scheme, the NTSE 2020-21 scholarships are awarded to the candidates for pursuing courses in science and social science up to the doctoral level and in professional courses like medicine and engineering up to second-degree level. It is in addition to all the latest details mentioned above.
The written examination shall consist of two papers,
- Paper-I: mental ability test
- Paper-II: scholastic aptitude test
The table below shows the NTSE exam procedure.
[ninja_tables id="27882"]
NTSE 2021 Eligibility Criteria
There are certain conditions laid out by NCERT that one should keep in mind before applying for the exam. NTSE Eligibility Criteria for each stage differ. The detailed criteria are provided below.
- Candidates must be an Indian national.
- Candidates must be studying in class 10 in a recognized private or government school in India.
- Unemployed candidates below the age of 18, studying in class 10 from open or distance learning are also eligible to apply.
- States or UTs may lay down some more conditions such as minimum qualifying marks in the previous class, age limit etc.
- The aspirants will not be qualified for second stage if they will not meet the sectional cut off in stage 1 (even after meeting the overall cut off score).
- The Indian students (who are studying abroad), should send the attested copy of the class 9 mark sheet to the head of the Educational Survey Division, NCERT by 31st December 2020.
Minimum Qualifying Score Needed in Class 9
[ninja_tables id="27908"]
NTSE Qualifying Score
[ninja_tables id="27910"]
NTSE 2021 Reservation Criteria
There are provisions of reservation in NTSE 2021 as per government of India norms:
[ninja_tables id="27914"]
NTSE 2021 Exam centres
NTSE 2021 exam is conducted in various states and union territories. Candidates have to indicate their preferred exam centre at the time of filling up NTSE Application Form. Address of the allotted exam centre will be mentioned on the admit card. Below is the list of exam centres for NTSE 2021 examination:
[ninja_tables id="27916"]
NTSE 2021 Cut off
Cut off marks are the minimum marks that are required by candidate to clear the examination. The cut off marks will be declared by the respective states. The final cut off mark will be declared by NCERT after the completion of stage 2 examination. NCERT publishes category wise and subject wise cut off marks.
The factors affecting the state wise cut off marks are as follows:
- Students appearing in the exam
- Difficulty level of the paper
- Marking scheme
- Number of seats available
Category wise cut off marks
[ninja_tables id="27917"]
Subject wise cut off marks
[ninja_tables id="27918"]
Get Latest Exams Notification
